2023-09-25 23:00:00
The lure of better working conditions and higher wages make the US and Europe attractive destinations. As the May Day strike in Chicago took place in the US, fixed hours, steady pay and better working conditions were expected, especially in the US. Along with that, there were massive propagandas to lure people. But everywhere there is a great agitation of the workers as they face all the problems of the capitalist economy such as layoffs, wage cuts and loss of job security as new labor trends. Automobile companies, the trade sector, education, health, service sectors and even the Bollywood film industry are all experiencing labor struggles. The strike started by the workers of major US auto companies is continuing. The workers of General Motors, Ford and Stellantis companies are on strike. The Associated Press reports that this is the largest strike in the US auto industry’s 88-year history.
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More than 13,000 workers went on strike when their four-year employment period was about to end. The workers had initially demanded a 46 percent wage hike, but it was later reduced to 30 percent in negotiations. But the owners were not ready for the increase. That is why he went on strike. Along with the wage increase, the United Auto Workers unions are also pushing for annual cost-of-living increases, wage revisions for factory workers, a 32-hour work week to 40 hours, and a comprehensive pension plan. Auto company owners and labor unions have held several talks but have not been able to reach a consensus. In Detroit, General Motors of Missouri, Ford of Michigan and Stellantis of Ohio are on strike. The union leaders have warned that the strike will spread to other areas if their reasonable demands are not met. The fact that even as the auto industry is reaping huge profits, workers are having to fight for higher wages and better job security is proof that the US labor market is not as good as it sounds.
Although the first in the US auto industry, there are daily reports that workers are staging major strikes in other fields as well. The most important thing in Hollywood is the struggle of screenwriters and technicians. It was only after six decades that Hollywood witnessed such a strong and united struggle. Hollywood stars also came out in solidarity with the strike. The struggle with the main demand of signing a new contract has put the film industry in crisis. The construction work is at a standstill. More than 1,60,000 people from various sections, including 11,500 screenwriters and actors, participated in the strike. The joint strike of the two unions is now taking place after 1960. There are also situations where the production of the completed films cannot be started. A couple of weeks ago, News Click released the figures of widespread labor strikes in the US and Europe. According to the articles published in the US media on September 4 as part of Labor Day, as of the first week of September, 3.40 lakh people have mobilized in more than 200 strikes in the US alone this year. This is significantly higher than the previous year, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. According to government figures, 4,99,600 workers in 2019, 1,17,300 in 2021 and 2,21,300 workers in 2022 have joined the strike. In 2020, no figures are available during the Covid pandemic.
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Workers adopt various forms of struggle like demonstrations, strikes and picketing. Widespread layoffs, wage cuts, contract work instead of regular jobs and wages, fixed-term work, and corresponding wage structures are causing labor unrest in many countries, including the US and the European Union. The same is being imposed in our country by the Modi government. In addition to auto and film industry workers, the strike in the US includes aviation, railway, postal and courier services and health workers, mainly nurses and teachers. Journalists went on strike at more than two dozen establishments in the US in June. Along with their service wage reforms, the strike was also against the anti-democratic actions of the heads of institutions. In August, workers in areas ranging from hotels to Hollywood went on strike in California. The strike by University of Michigan graduate students demanding an annual wage increase lasted more than five months. The strike ended in August after getting 8% and 6% increases in the three-year course. The demands came after more than 1,400 workers at US Railroad’s Pennsylvania plant went on strike for two months.
Hundreds of flights were canceled due to strikes and strikes in Europe. Public transport also came to a standstill. Also notable were the protests in France against the raising of the retirement age and the new pension scheme. Airports in Germany, Berlin and Frankfurt were closed due to a strike by aviation security staff. There have been three strikes in the UK against wage cuts. 130,000 UK workers went on strike in April against tougher conditions for more pay and pension schemes.
Global hyperinflation, the economic crisis created by the Covid pandemic, and the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war have all contributed to life’s hardships. Especially in the EU and the UK. Many European countries that depended on cheap Russian gas were also facing an energy crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Amid inflation and declining economies, workers and workers across industries around the world are agitating for better wages and working conditions. It is also reflected in the workplaces and streets of the US and Europe.
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